Girdle or like article of apparel



June 27, 1950 A. v. LINDSAY 2,513,034

GIRDLE OR LIKE ARTICLE OF APPAREL Filed Aug. 20, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 4 INVENTOR.

Max/u 4 TTOEN E Y June 27, 1950 A. v. LINDSAY 2,513,034

GIRDLE 0R LIKE ARTICLE OF APPAREL Filed Aug. 20, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I E INVENTOR.

By M z/ww 14 7' TOEA /E Y Patented June 27, 1950 UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE GIRDLE on LIKE ARTICLE OF APPAREL, I

Albert V. Lindsay, Midland Park, N. J. 7 Application August 20, 1948, Serial No. 45,340 1 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improved girdle, and to similar articles of apparel, such as corsets and garter belts, such articles of apparel being adapted to restrain the figure and particularly to flatten the abdomen,

The invention has among its objects the provision of an improved girdle or the like having improved abdomen flattening properties while insuring that such article of apparel shall be form fitting and comfortable to the wearer.

The invention has a further object the provision of a girdle or similar article of apparel including a. novel reinforcing and stiffening element which insures flatness of the abdomen in a horizontal direction while yielding vertically, as when the wearer of the article sits or bends.

Yet a further object of the invention, in one of the specific embodiments herein described, is the provision of means whereby the reinforcing and stiffening element may be readily removed from the article to facilitate the washing thereof.

These and further objects of the invention will be more readily apparent in the following description of preferred embodiments thereof.

In the drawings appended hereto and forming a partof the specification:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a first embodiment of the invention, shown as a girdle, as it appears when worn;

Figure 2 is a view in plan of such girdle, the view being taken from the line 2 2 .in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the reinforcing and stiffening element incorporated in the girdle of the first embodiment;

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section through the front portion of the girdle, the section being taken along the line 4-4 in Figure l;

Figure 5 is aview in front elevation of a second embodiment of the invention, shown as a garter belt, as it appears when worn;

Figure 6 is a View in plan of such garter belt, the view being taken from the line 66 in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view in front elevation of the reinforcing and stiffeningelement incorporated in the garter belt, and

Figure 8 is a view in horizontal section through the front portion of the garter belt, the section being taken along the line 8-8 in Figure 5.

Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, as above pointedout, illustrate a girdle embodying the present invention. Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, show a garter belt embodying alternative features of the invention, In Figures Ito 4, inclusive, the girdle designated generally by the reference character 2 typifies the garment to whichmy invention may be applied. The main body portion of girdle 2 may be made of all elastic materiaLor it may be made of material which is partly elastic and partly inelastic. Also, it may be made in the form of a seamless tube, or it maybe made of several sections of suitable material secured together in any well known manners As usual, 'where a 1-way stretch material is employed, the girdle will be made so that the direction of stretch will be horizontal, and, in the case of 2-way stretch fabric, the girdle will also stretch ina vertical direction.

Conventional girdles, especially when made of so-called 2 -way stretch material, fit closely the contour of the body, and permit the stomach and abdomen to assume a rounded contour, espe-' cially when the wearer is bending over or sitting down. It is highly desirable that the stomach and abdomen be maintained in fiat condition and this cannot be accomplished by the conventional girdle. I

In the particular embodiment herein first shown, girdle 2 has'an abdomen covering front panel portion 4 inserted in the otherwise integral girdle body. In this instance, the girdle main low the panel 4 is designated 6 and that at the the stitching l8 at the sides of the panel and the stitching 20 at the. top and bottom thereof, such stitching being shown as of the double row type. The reinforcing element I6 is positioned symmetrically within panel 4 and is retained therein by the stitching 22 which surrounds it as shown in Figure 1. Whereas stitching 22 may closely surround element l6 if desired, in the preferred embodiment shown stit'ching22 is spaced some- What from element Hijat both of the sides and also at the top and bottom, to'allow the element Hi to shift at least slightly vertically, horizon; tally, and angularly,' and to elongate to some ex: tent as a result of vertical compression of element l6 upon bending of the wearer of the girdle;

terial such as wire. Iti-s preferred to employ for this purposespringy, non-corrodible, materials, such as stainless steel and Phosphor bronze, in order to eliminate corrosion or rusting of the element and consequent damage to the girdle,, al-.

though it is possible to use plain carbon steel spring wire in making such element, preferably-- provided with a corrosion resistant coating..

One end of the wire formingel'ement' 1'6 is at point 23, whence it travels to form the partial: end loop 24, thence downwardly to form the horizontal run or bar 2.6, thence upwardly to. form the. partially closed end loop 28, across to form the tophorizontal run= or. bar 30, down to form the inner loop 31., horizontally to. form. run 32, upwardly to. form inner loop. 3.3,:and. thence repeatedly across.,.as shown, between such inner. loops to formthe, inner horizontal' runs 34., .36, 38 and 40. The wire terminates at point 4H,. Such: grid structure is made. integral by securing the wires. together, asshown, at theplaces where they adjoin, as by spot welding.

Reinforcing element l6, when subjected. to. compression in a vertical direction, will yieldto some extent. particularly in its runs. or bars-.126 and 30 If such compression. is. distributed-over the topand bottom. bars. or runs. .of' the. grid, there will be some resulting. .elongation ofthe. grid- Because the-pocket formed stitching 2J5 in.- the emhodimenttshown, made sufficiently. long and; high, substantially no. restriction is imposed by saidpocket on-the grid. against such. changes in shape in the latter occasioned -..,by. bending or twisting of; the torsoeof. the wearer. Thus. thaelement. [6; when .so incorporated in. the girdle: yields tosadapt itself to changes in body contour while maintaining; the abdomen jsubr. stain-Jelly. fiat. Element 116. is made. to taperin: sectionat its ends asshown i'nFigure .4, and also tocurve at. such ends, so that it both. conforms. to the. shape of. the body of the wearer and is more easily distortable at suchends than in its central. portion.

The garter belt shown in Figures 5 to .8, inclus'i've, is designated generally by the reference character 42. Such garter belt has. a front panel designated 44 and rear panel 46, both such panels in this embodiment being, made of relatively inelastic textile materi'al,,such panels being joined by. the vertical elastic side panels 4.8, such last named panels being joined to the, front panel by rows of, stitching 501 and to. the rear panel by rows of stitching 52'. Incorporated within the front panel 4'4 of the garterbelt is a reinforcing and stifiening element generally designated 5'4, which'is retained in a. pocket formed between the. outer ply ES'and the. inner ply 5.8 of the front panel, as shown in Figure 8. The pocket in the. panel isformed' by thestitching, 6,0. which relatively closely adioins element 54 along its top ,,its-bottom', and its lefthand. end, .as shown. in Figure 5. The pocket is completed by meansof' the vertical stitching; Gti

s between plies, at. the right (Figs. 5 and 3) and by the fastener .62. closing a vertical openingat the. left. of stitching 6]... The -.fastener Bishown is'of the slidable fastener or zipper type. The

acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and ethyl 4 stitching 60 at the top and. bottom of the pocket is spaced sufiiciently at the opening closed by fastener 62, and the opening at the fastener is of such length vertically of the garter belt, that element 54 may be inserted into the pocket and withdrawn therefrom when the fastener is open. The right-hand end of the pocket, formed by stitching 5|, lies sufiiciently close to the righthandi end of-element 54: when thenfastener is closed that undue lateral shifting of such element in the pocket is prevented.

"The reinforcing and stiffening element 54 in .thisembodiment. takes the form of an integral molded'grid; Such grid may be made of various well known plastic materials of which cellulose cellulose are typical. Such grid, which has the horizontally curved loop ends 64, has a series of spaced horizontal bar portions, the top one of which isdesignated EB and. the bottom oneof which is designated 68;. Intermediate horizontal bars are indicated at 10, suchbars being attached to the inner loop. members. 12' within the grid. As shown in Fig. 7, element 554" has .a length,

measured horizontally. which is approximately twice its width, measured vertically.

L'IIhe garter belt of the. second embodiment functions to restrain theflgure and to flatten the abdomen in the same. manner as the girdle of the first; embodiment. Grid 54', while remaining substantially flat in itslongitudinal center portion, is yield'able vertically, particularly atthe center portions of bars. 6.6 and 68., and, to; a. certain extent, may also. elongate. The pocket formed in the front panelby meansof stitchings E83, 6 l, and the separable fastener'fizinsures the maintenance of the reinforcing grid over the abdomen but. allows its elongation to a certain extent and allows it to. shift .angularly somewhat, so that the belt restrains thefig ure and flattensthe abdomen while insuring comfortto the wearer. I

Whereas, Lhave shown. anddescribed'preferred. embodiments of my invention, as 'incorporat'edgin a girdle and in a garter belt, itis to be, under stood that the invention may be. used to. adirantage in other types of. figure-restrainingjgarments. It is also to be understoodthat the invention not confined. to they particular embodiments. shown, since. it iscapablev of considerable. variation as to. details. The. invention is. therefore defined by the scope. of the appendedv claims.

I. claim. as new the following:

1.. A body embracing articlev of apparelfor restraining and flattening. the figure comprising: amainbody portion which is elastic in a. horizontal. direction circumferentially ofthe article,v said.

main body portion havinga front area adapted tocover the abdominal, region of. the wearer, and means for horizontally stifiening the. front. ab! dominal area of the article of apparel against bulging, said stiffening means comprising, an integral reinforcing and stiffening. grid located in said front area of the main body portion, the grid being elongated horizontally and substantially symmetrical about its centrallhorizontal and vertical axes, the grid having a. length, measured.

horizontally, which is markedly greater than its width. measured vertically, spaced bars extending circumferentially of the. article. of apparel, the bars being, .connectfid'l-at their respective. ends by generally vertically ex,-

tending end members, thejgrid having reversely tapered ends, the front area 'of the article of ap-'- the grid having:

parel being composed of a plurality of plies of material, a pocket receiving the grid formed between the plies of such material, the pocket generally conforming in size and shape to the grid, one side of the pocket having an opening to introduce therethrough the grid into the article of apparel, the opening being provided with a fastener means to close it along its length, the grid being flexible and resilient whereby it may yield in the pocket horizontally and vertically with the body of the wearer while maintaining the abdomen of the wearer substantially flat.

2. A body embracing article of apparel for restraining and flattening the figure comprising a main body portion which is elastic in a horizontal direction circumferentially of the article, said main body portion having a front area adapted to cover the abdominal region of the wearer, and means for horizontally stiffening the front abdominal area of the article of apparel against bulging, said stiffening means comprising an in tegral reinforcing and stiffening grid located in said front area of the body portion, the grid being in the shape of a hexagon elongated horizontally and substantially symmetrical about its central horizontal and vertical axes, the grid having a length, measured horizontally, which is markedly greater than its width, measured vertically, the grid having spaced bars extending circumferentially of the article of apparel, the bars being connected at their respective ends by generally vertically extending end members, the grid having reversely tapered ends, the front area of the article of apparel being composed of a plurality of plies of material, a pocket receiving the grid formed between the plies of such material, the pocket generally conforming in shape to the grid but being at least slightly larger than the grid, the grid being flexible and resilient whereby it may yield in the pocket horizontally and vertically with the body of the wearer while maintaining the abdomen of the wearer substantially flat.

3. A body embracing article of apparel for restraining and flattening the figure comprising a body portion which is elastic in a horizontal direction circumferentially the article, said main body portion having a front area adapted to cover the abdominal region of the wearer, and means for horizontally stiffening the front abdominal area of the article of apparel against bulging, said stiffening means comprising an integral reinforcing and stiffening grid located in said front area of the main body portion, the grid being elongated horizontally and substantially symmetrical about its central horizontal and vertical axes, the grid having a length, measured horizontally, which is markedly greater than its width, measured vertically, the grid having spaced bars extending circumferentially of the article of apparel, the bars being connected at their ends, said spaced bars including a bar forming the top of the grid, the upper surface of the top of the grid being smooth, the front area of the article of apparel being composed of a plurality of plies of material, a pocket receiving the grid formed between the plies of such material, said pocket generally conforming in size and shape to the grid, the grid being flexible and resilient whereby it may yield in the pocket horizontally and vertically with the body of the wearer while maintaining the abdomen of the wearer substantially flat.

4. A body embracing article of apparel for restraining and flattening the figure comprising a main body portion which is elastic in a horizontal direction circumferentially of the article, said main body portion having a front area adapted to cover the abdominal region of the wearer, and means for horizontally stiffening the front abdominal area of the article of apparel against bulging, said stiffening means comprising an integral reinforcing and stiffening grid located in said front area of the body portion, the grid being in the shape of a hexagon elongated horizontally and symmetrical about its central horizontal and vertical axes, the grid having a length, measured horizontally, which is markedly greater than its width, measured vertically, the grid having spaced bars extending circumferentially of the article of apparel, the bars being connected at their respective ends by generally yertically extending end members, said spaced bars including bars forming the top and bottom, respectively, of the grid, the upper surface of the top and the lower surface of the bottom of the grid being smooth, the front area of the article of apparel being composed of a plurality of plies of material, a pocket receiving the grid formed between the plies of such material, the pocket generally conforming in shape to the grid but being at least slightly larger than the grid, the grid being flexible and resilient whereby it may yield in the pocket horizontally and vertically with the body of the wearer while maintaining the abdomen of the wearer substantially flat.

ALBERT V. LINDSAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 882,412 Parker Mar. 1'7, 1908 1,606,709 Lancaster Nov. 9, 1926 1,693,030 Greenberg Nov. 27, 1928 1,822,477 Caple Sept. 8, 1931 2,139,305 Friend Dec. 6, 1938 2,468,106 Polk et a1 Apr. 26, 1949 2,489,388 Rubin Nov. 29, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 369,204 Great Britain Mar. 11, 1932 

